<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: a perspective on what consititutes normal birth...
Review: Marilyn Moran explores the notion that birth is part of our sexual continuum (after all, the same hormones are involved as those that help us to become aroused during sex.) For instance, consider how difficult it would be to become sexually aroused and to successfully complete the sex act, without pain, if one were prostrate beneath bright lights, her genitals watched and manipulated by relative strangers, and monitored and coached throughout the act. The body during the process of labor and birth responds similarly to such stimuli, which is why a woman's body so often needs the artificial help of drugs, synthetic hormones, and mechanical instruments to complete the process of birth. Moran's argument is that in the absence of the inhibition, fear, embarrassment, and discomfort that is caused by these outside sources, the body is far more capable of giving birth normally and safely. This is a scientifically valid perspective. (See Marsden Wagner, M.D., and Michael Odent, M.D.)She goes on to examine the well-known phenomenon of mothers becoming inappropriately attached to their doctors or midwives, and the implications. Because she is a devout Catholic, this colors her thinking, so the way she comes to certain conclusions is not the way I would, but despite that I found her arguments and theories fascinating food for thought.
Rating: 
Summary: Not just pleasurable childbirth, safe childbirth too!
Review: Some of Marilyn Moran's Catholic beliefs may not translate to everyone, but the revolutionary common sense in this book applies to anyone. Childbirth IS a sexual act, whether we ignore that fact in our culture or not. Exploring the sexual nature of birth as Moran does, reveals why it is more difficult for us all to birth in the captivity of the medical and midwifery models of "care". It also reveals a clear way to create the safest births possible; by respecting the intimate nature of man and woman welcoming the ultimate product of their love - their baby - into the world and keeping it a private, gentle occasion. It's such a simple plan that it is startling!
Rating:
Summary: Not just pleasurable childbirth, safe childbirth too!
Review: Some of Marilyn Moran's Catholic beliefs may not translate to everyone, but the revolutionary common sense in this book applies to anyone. Childbirth IS a sexual act, whether we ignore that fact in our culture or not. Exploring the sexual nature of birth as Moran does, reveals why it is more difficult for us all to birth in the captivity of the medical and midwifery models of "care". It also reveals a clear way to create the safest births possible; by respecting the intimate nature of man and woman welcoming the ultimate product of their love - their baby - into the world and keeping it a private, gentle occasion. It's such a simple plan that it is startling!
Rating:
Summary: Our babies have only one birth
Review: Terra Publishing has done the world a great service by bringing this book back into print for the new generation of families who have seen through the myths of the prevailing birth machine and our technocratic society's fear of sexuality and childbirth. I was a young mother when Marilyn Moran wrote to me thirty years ago. Characteristically, she got right to the point. She told me that my work to promote midwifery was missing the boat. She had a better idea. Her letter changed my life. I had my next three babies without the paid paranoid in attendance, and expanded my own book, Prenatal Yoga and Natural Birth, to include these FREEBIRTH stories. Freebirth, unassisted homebirth, or whatever it is called, is not for everyone. Perhaps in this example, Pleasureable Husband Wife Childbirth is for those that this society has judged "nuts" -- that is, for those who think outside the obstetrical box. Moran's book is a must-read for those courageous parents who follow their hearts AND minds, making a truly informed choice. Though it may seem crazy to the dominant culture to give birth as an ecstatic celebration of holy, erotic love between partners, I know it to be the reality many thousands are choosing this century. It was mine. Mark my words -- there will come a time when people look back to the 21st centruy and think how primitive we were to scare ourselves about something as natural as having a baby. Indeed, so scared that we judged anyone who didn't connect to the birth machine, as "nuts". Where I live in the Southwest, the Navajo people have a term for folks who don't think for themselves. They are called "sheeple". Families choosing freebirth are members of the new species, Homo Divinitus, at one with their creative source. I consider parents who are delivered by the masked man in hospital as "sheeple". Particularly if they haven't done their research first, but instead just did what "everyone else does". Our babies have only one birth. Let it be as pleasureable as possible. The gift we give to the world is the answer that Albert Einstein wrote was the most important one to know for the human race. "Each person must answer this question for himself. Is the Universe a friendly place or not?" In freebirth, the answer for all involved, is a resounding, YES!
Rating: 
Summary: indulging inbreeds & nutcases
Review: This book is only for intellectually deprived and depraved nutcases.
They should stay at home on the farm, but please dont subject the sheep to the same torture they put upon their women, who must have suffered hypoxia during their own births to even consider this option .
Are they all completly mad?
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful guide to homebirth!
Review: This is a wonderful book for anyone who wants to plan or is considering an unassisted homebirth. The book is a terrific combination of how-to guide and homebirth stories. The book is written with warmth and compassion, and the stories all share the common thread of acceptance of unassisted birth. There are lots of really useful tips in here on how to plan for an unassisted birth, great practical stuff you can actually use. And the birth stories are a joy to read.
The author does have a slight couple centered and religious bent, but as a single agnostic, I stil found lots to love about this book!
A must read for anyone who thinks birth should be private, family centered, and full of love!
<< 1 >>
| 
